Organiser of meeting: National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF)Organiser of meeting: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)Organiser of meeting: Helmholtz Association

Speaker Status/Institution:

Director & Chairman of the Board, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF)Administrative Director, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)President of the Helmholtz Association (HGF)German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)Cancer Center Karolinska InstituteNational Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF)National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) HeidelbergNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Date:

8-Dec-2017

Type:

Event (Video)

Abstract:

Inauguration of the ''Athens Comprehensive Cancer Center'' (ACCC)
Following the initiative of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) in collaboration with the DKFZ German Cancer Research Center and the Helmholtz Association, the largest research organization in Europe, the establishment of the first Comprehensive Cancer Center will be implemented in Athens (ACCC) Selected laboratories from Research Centers (NHRF, Demokritos), the University of Athens and selected public hospitals (Alexandra, Agia Sophia, Agios Savvas, Attikon Hospital, General Hospital of Athens G. Gennimatas) participate in the ACCC activities in the field of clinical research. On Friday, December 8th , 2017, a scientific symposium will be held at the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), on the occasion of the initiation of ACCC activities, and at the same day at 7pm, an official dinner with the participation of academics, politicians, representatives of patient associations and pharmaceutical companies, will take place in the Hilton Athens Hotel.
As currently, no Comprehensive Cancer Centers exist in Greece, the main objective of ACCC is to strengthen interdisciplinary research on cancer and above all, to improve the lives of patients with this multifactorial and heterogeneous disease. The collaboration with DKFZ, the largest biomedical research center in Germany and the Helmholtz Association, is of great importance for the success of this ambitious project, which will directly and substantially improve the health of the citizens in Athens and Greece as a whole. Today, it is assumed that around 50% of hospital beds in clinics are located in the center of Athens with high rates of occupancy, thus allowing direct communication with Research Centers and specialized University Departments. Additionally, synergy and services will be developed with large public health units in the area of Athens and the region of Attica in general. Based on the ACCC cancer center objectives, these technologically mature advanced services will be transferred directly into daily clinical practice.
ACCC was selected by the Helmholtz Association as a pilot project in the framework of the Helmholtz European Partnering Program and was approved to receive funding by an international panel of experts on cancer. The core of the collaboration will be (a) joint research activities with clinicians—oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, and researchers from various clinics in Athens and (b) an exchange program for scientists from ACCC to spend time at DKFZ, as well as for scientists from DKFZ to spend time in ACCC partners in Athens, both Research Centers and Oncology Clinics.
In particular, structures for the improvement of clinical and translational research will be implemented, such as: - Center for Clinical and Preclinical Studies, - Molecular Diagnostics - National Cancer Recording System, - Biobanks and - National Oncology Information System. The long-term goal of this effort is the creation of an organisation where multidisciplinary biomedical scientists will be able work together: oncologists, surgeons, radiation therapists, bioscientists for molecular diagnosis, and drug discovery , as well as researchers focusing on molecular mechanisms of cancer as a disease,. A main ACCC goal will be personalized treatments for oncology patients, a rapid translation of research results into clinical practice and easy access to new drugs for oncology patients through clinical trials. Great emphasis will also be given on cancer prevention.